Workers Arrive at Blood Port

Old Vance's face went pale as well. His legs gave out, and he nearly collapsed to the ground, but his daughter caught him in time and held him up.

Several crew members—part-timers from the Expeditionary Force—came out carrying wrenches, made a round, and quickly brought the situation under control.

The main reason was that these outsiders had long established their authority here. They had not been able to build roads outside the town simply by relying on the lord's kindness.

The hired workers quickly regained their senses and obediently sat off to one side.

Old Vance stayed with his wife and daughter, his face deeply troubled.

"What's wrong, Father?"

"Ah, this trip to that Blood Port... who knows how many Leo it'll cost."

"Didn't they say we wouldn't have to pay?"

"Rebecca, you're still young. They did say we wouldn't need to pay, but people like us always have to spend money wherever we go."

Rebecca clutched her father's hand in confusion. Looking at her worried father and silent mother, she suddenly realized that the only thing she could do was pray.

Just pray.

She sat quietly in her seat, stroking the steel-forged carriage. This should have been an incredibly novel experience, but she had no heart to appreciate it.

The cold, steadfast steel made her feel safe.

Old Vance's face twitched from time to time. The physical pain was bearable, but the uncertainty of the unknown filled him with fear.

The doctor would not let him eat anything, only bringing him a small bowl of sugar water and telling him to drink some if he became too thirsty, but not too much.

The train rattled and swayed onward, and the unease in everyone's hearts swayed with it. They traveled all the way to Blood Port like that.

Blood Port